Device for securing milk can covers



Jan. 3, 1933. H PACKER 1,893,102

DEVICE FOR SECURING MILK O'AN COVERS Filed Nov.24, 1951 gmwn co a HaPa 716/ Patented Jan. 3, 1933 STATES FFICE HARTLEY G. PACKER, OF RENO, NEVADA.

DEVICE FOR SECURING MILK CAN COVERS Application filed November 24,1931.

This invention relates to devices for securing the tops of receptacles and particularly to milk cans.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a device whereby the top or cover of a milk can or other receptacle may be easily and quickly secured in place so that the contents of the receptacle will not be lost through the displacement of the lid or cover, in the event that the receptacle becomes knocked over.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cover securing device which may be easily and quickly placed in operative position or removed from such position and will effectively hold the lid in place without the employment of looks or any similar means.

The invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification, with the understanding, however, that the invention is not confined to any strict conformity with the showing of the drawing but may be changed or modified so long as such changes or modifications mark no material departure from the salient features of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

In the drawing Figure 1 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in section of the upper portion of a milk can showing the cover in place and showing the application of the device embodying the present invention Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially upon the line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken upon the line 33 of Figure 1;

Figure A} is a detailed view of an element of the securing device, the same being partly in section.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing wherein like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the numeral 1 indicates generally a milk can having the inclined shoulder 2 and the elongated neck portion 3. Cans of the character herein shown ordinarily have a single relatively large loop handle 4, the

Serial No. 577,091.

upper end of which is connected with the neck of the can by the horizontal bar portion 5.

The neck of the can 3 is closed by the stopper or'plug-like cap 6, the top of which carries a single handle loop 7.

The device embodying the present invention is indicated generally by the numeral 8 and as shown consists of a frame-like element 9 between the side bars of which is slidably positioned the transverse bar 10 the ends of which are formed to provide eyes 11 which slidably receive the side members of the frame 9 as clearly illustrated in Figures 2 and 4.

One end of the frame 9 has connected thereto the swivel link connection 12 which is attached at one end to the handle 7 of the can top in the manner illustrated.

The other end of the frame 9 from the swivel link connection, has extending therethrough the pin 13 which at one end is connected with the bar 10 while its other end terminates in aneye 14:. Surrounding this pin 13 between the lower end of the frame 9 and the sliding bar 10 thereof is an expansion spring 15 which normally acts to draw the pin 13 into the frame.

Secured to the portion 5 of the can handle, is a body 16 which is formed to provide a pair of spaced fingers 17 which extend laterally and downwardly from the portion 5 of the handle to which the body is attached. Connected in any suitable manner with the handle. is one end of a relatively long chain 18, while the other end is connected to the eye 14 of the spring element previously described.

It will be seen from the foregoing that in order to place the present holding device into use, after the can cover has been inserted into the can neck it is secured by pulling down upon the chain 18 to compress the spring 15 and one of the links of the chain is then slipped into position between the downturned fingers 17 which operate as a keeper to retain the chain in this position. It will thus be seen that the can cover will then be firmly secured in place and should the can become overturned the cover cannot move from position and the contents of the can will, therefore, be preserved.

It will also be apparent that the lid holding device embodying the present invention may be satisfactorily employed upon one, two or three gallon cans Without making alterations in the construction of the device, as the a chain can be readily drawn to a taut condition no matter what the size of the can may be. 7

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is 1. A device for securing'a cover to a receptacle, comprising a chain, a spring, supporting means for said spring means for swivelly couplingsaid supporting means with V. the receptacle cover, meanscarried by said supporting means for connecting one end of said chain with said spring whereby the spring will be compressed upon exerting a pull on the chain means forpermanently connecting theother end of the chain with the can, and means carried by the body of the receptacle for facilitating the detachable connection of "the chain therewith intermediate 4 its ends with the can. t. 7

, 2. A device for securing a cover-to a receptacle, comprising a chain, a spring, supporting means for said spring, means for swivelly coupling said supporting means with'the receptacle cover, means carriedby said supporting means for connecting one 7 end of said chain with said spring whereby,

the spring will be compressed upon exerting a pull on thechain, and a forked element carriedby the receptacle arranged to have the link of a chain engagedtherein.

. 3. A device for securing thecover of a milk 1 can, comprising a forked member secured to the body, of the can, a chain, a frame,'means for swivelly coupling said frame to the cover of the can, a spring mounted in the f-rame,,a bar disposed transversely of theframe and i slidabletherein and bearing against one end of the spring, the otherend of the spring bearing against a cross member of the frame,

a pin secured at one end to said bar and having its other endextending through the said cross member of the frame and further pass-- V ing through said spring, said chain being attached at one end to said other end of the pin and adapted to have a link thereof engaged in the fork of said forked member to maintain said spring under tension.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature.

' HARTLEYQG. PACKER- 

